Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-04-27
Favors Of Virginia to the Federal Govern
ment.
For the SPECTATOR

At this juncture in the financial Affairs OF
the State, when every one disposed, feels ~
liberty to criticize and abuse; and especlaliy
when the Federal Courts exceed all preced-
ents in efforts to coerce and harass, it is ap-
propriate to remind Judge Bond and others,
who assume to represent the Federal Govern.
ment-now with redundant treasury-of
the noble generosity of Virginia to the Fed.
sral government in her times of financial
distress, without local habitatien, or
capital buildings of her own. In the Ian
guage of anether:-
"What has Virginia done for the United
States? Let the following facts, which
have passed into history, but which may
not be known to many of the present gener-
alton, answer the question.
"When our revolutionary war ended. the
Government of the U. 8. found she was
largely indebted to her officers and soldiers,
who had fought her battles, and won our
Independence. The old Congress had made
liberal promises, which the Government
was wholly unable to fulfill. It was home
less and landless-the lands were owned by
few Of the States and the Indians. The
Government had no credit, and there was
pail hanging over it, Virginia had won
with her arms, all that grand aud magnif-
cent country, then known as the North
west Territory, noo comprising the great,
prosperous, and wealthy States of Ohio,
Ind, ILL.,, Mich. and Wis. She came for
ward, and in spirit of generosity, liberal
ity and patriotism, which has NO parallel in
history, aud donated the whole of that
empire to the U. 8. She dedicated it to
freedom, and only stipulated that the
pledges she had made to her officers and
soldiers, should be redeemed by the U. s.
To have done so in good faith, would not
have required an area equal to ten counties
in any one of these States-and yet, strange
as it may seem, up to this day thousands
and thousands of these claims remain un-
satisfed-many of them upon mere fimsy
and technical pretexts, while the descend
ants Of many of the patriots, whe sleep in
soldiers graves, are in absolute want. In
1850, on the 7th Of March, in the Senate of
the U. s., Mr.. Webster said: "Ths q. 8.
has already received $50 1000, 900 for lands
donated by the State of Va, and when the
balance of the lands donated are sold, the
amount will be 100000 000."
| Again, when it was decided to move the
Government to Washington public build
| logs had to be erected. The q. s. had not
airy war. 1t was in no condition to make
|
forward and leaned the U. s. $3.50, 900,
| Chen large sum) s'for the purpose Of
erecting public buildings" Now, will it
be believed? not one dollar of this loan,
principal or interest, has been refunded.
No, not one dollar; and as few, if any Of eur
present members of Congress know any
thing about this transation......(See Hem
nings Statutes at Large, Vol Is, pa. 1875 }
This was in $780, In 1850, the Committee
on claims in the 81. of RS of the o. g.,
made report and urged payment. Again
in 1862, and again the judiciary COMMITTEES
of the House-the law committee. (See
House Reports of 51st Congress, LIST Session,
No. 494; House Report, LIST Session, 32nd
Congress, No. 27S. "About the same time
two or three reports we're made to the L. 8.
Senate, all fully recognizing the debt, and
all recommending the payment, with inter-
est, which at this day would amount to
nearly $500, 900. Notwithstanding this
claim passed the ordeal of five committees,
payment up to this day has not been
made"
"Again, when the war of 1912 was forced
on US, the .. S. was in no condition to carry
it on. Some of the States came to her
assistance. Va. tods again in the uan, and
rendered a larger amount O. aid than all
the others combined" The account stated
between Va. and the U. s. shows balance
due Va, Of about 81, 500, 900 for very many
years, and payment by agents of the State,
and Congressman, has bsen urged for 2S
years, to be made from a redundent Urea
sury, and yet the U. s. Government is not
charged with Reputation. But Va. in her
poverty and prostration, robbed Of one
third of her property and territory receives
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